Guidance & Support

Tutor Groups

The Sixth Form tutoring system focuses on the increasing maturity and independence of our students to help them approach the next step of their lives with confidence.  Tutor groups are drawn up for the start of September and Sixth Form Tutors will get to know their group very well during morning form periods. Tutors will normally remain with the same group through the two years of the Sixth Form.

Our Sixth Form Tutors teach a wide variety of subjects. They share an ability to build good working relationships with students during these important final years of school; mentoring and supporting students to achieve their full potential.

Tutors monitor the academic progress of students, offering advice and support when necessary. They guide students through the process of applying for higher education, employment or gap year activities. The majority of our students make UCAS applications; their Sixth Form tutor helps and guides them through each step in this process including assisting with the writing of personal statements.

Tutors are supported by the Head of Sixth Form, Ms Wilson, Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Miss Robinson, Mr Wheeler & Mrs Loch, Sixth Form Mentors.  These members of staff are based in the Sixth Form centre making them readily accessible to the students. In addition student support services are available.

Induction Day

After the Year 11 examinations, all internal and external applicants are invited to attend an induction day. This is designed to help students to settle in as quickly as possible by getting to know fellow students and the teaching staff and becoming familiar with the Sixth Form facilities.

Homework – Key Stage 5

Students in Sixth Form should expect a homework load approximately equivalent to one hour for every hour spent on a subject in school.  The tasks will be more wide ranging, however, and submission deadlines more flexible.  Opportunities for private study exist during the school week for all students. Teachers should inform students in their classes when they will be setting homework as indicated by the homework timetable.

Careers Information, Advice and Guidance

It is important that students receive appropriate, constructive careers advice and guidance from an independent source.  We work closely with Careerstorch who provide independent one to one careers talks for all students in Years 12 & 13 upon request.

We also work closely with a number of other outside agencies to provide improved support and advice for our students.  Career Ready are a Charity who work with us to bring employers into Sixth Form to give our students advice and guidance on being ready for work.  Institutions we have worked with include IG Masonry, Morrisons & Burton Albion Community Trust.

Mentoring from NCOP through the Higher Education Access Network has also encouraged and supported some of our young people to raise their aspirations and access more rewarding future career paths.

Mr Wheeler & Mrs Loch, the Student Learning Mentors, are available throughout the day in the Sixth Form Study Room to provide support and advice with study.  They can advise and guide on all aspects of study and are always willing to help structure an essay.

Where students or those supporting them feel their concerns might need a little more intervention, the Assistant Head of Sixth Form or the Head of Sixth Form will work to ensure the students and their parents/carers receive the most appropriate intervention and access to relevant external agencies.